Element Escapes is a locally based Queenstown property management company specialising in Airbnb and short-term rental management across Queenstown, Arrowtown and the wider Wakatipu region. With over 15 years operating in the Queenstown accommodation market, we manage the full rental operation on your behalf, from Airbnb listing optimisation and dynamic pricing to housekeeping, 24/7 guest communication and property care. We handle every booking, guest message, clean and repair, and check your home after every checkout. You get a monthly payout, an itemised statement showing every charge, and a local team you can call directly.
Queenstown’s visitor economy creates year-round demand for quality holiday accommodation. Learn more about the Queenstown short-term rental market, or browse our holiday homes.
15+
Years in Queenstown
24/7
Local Support
No Lock-in
Contracts
Find out what your property could earn. No obligation, no hidden fees.
Prefer to email? owners@elementescapes.co.nz
Why Queenstown owners choose Element Escapes
Owners across Queenstown and Arrowtown hand their property to Element Escapes because we focus on the things that drive long-term performance: local expertise, flexible terms, transparent reporting and round-the-clock support.
15 years on the ground in Queenstown
More than 15 years running holiday homes across Queenstown and Arrowtown, through every ski season, summer peak and quiet month. We know what each area books for and when.
No lock-in
We ask for 3 months to give your listing time to perform, then 30 days’ notice. No exit fees, and no need to re-sign each year.
24/7 local support
A locally-based on-call manager, not an offshore call centre. Real people responding to guest issues and owner questions, day or night.
Integrated multi-channel strategy
One team managing Airbnb, Booking.com and direct bookings together, with dynamic pricing and listing optimisation across every channel.
Full owner-portal transparency
Live visibility of bookings and blocked dates, plus monthly statements covering all earnings and expenses.
No hidden extras
No setup fee, no commission on your own stays, no markup on maintenance and no exit fees. Every cost is set out in our Fee Schedule, which we send with your appraisal.
Full-service holiday home management across Queenstown and Arrowtown
Our Queenstown team manages the full rental operation on your behalf. That means listing optimisation and dynamic pricing across the Element Escapes website, Airbnb, Booking.com and more, coordinated housekeeping between every stay, 24/7 guest communication, and a property check after every stay.
We actively track seasonal demand, local events and competitor rates to keep your property performing year-round. Owners receive monthly statements, transparent reporting and direct access to the team managing their home.
Your property listed where guests are searching
Listed on Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and Trip.com, plus Vrbo, Holiday Houses, Google Vacation Rentals and Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.
Testimonials
Hear from our owners
“I can’t rate Luke and Lucy highly enough! They are fantastic property managers and our guests have all commented on how impressed they have been with Luke and Lucy. They are attentive, have good communication and are quick to action.”
Amber W., 4-bedroom home, Kelvin Heights
“Lucy and Luke have quickly and successfully built momentum on the listing and consistently provide an amazing experience for guests. The reviews from guests speak for themselves. Comms are exceptional. We really enjoy our partnership with Element Escapes. Long may it continue!”
Leon M., 2-bedroom home, Moke Lake
“Luke, Lucy and George have done a wonderful job managing our property in Queenstown since December 2021. Always contactable, and they take care of the place whilst keeping all the guests happy.”
Bill B., 3-bedroom home, Queenstown
How It Works
Getting started is simple
1
Get a Free Appraisal
We assess your property and provide a realistic income estimate based on current Queenstown market rates, seasonality and comparable properties. Free, with no obligation. Just honest numbers to help you decide.
2
We Set Everything Up
We arrange professional photography, create optimised listings on the Element Escapes website, Airbnb, Booking.com and more, and coordinate everything your property needs to launch. Once your photos are ready, we can have you live and taking bookings within 24 hours.
3
We Handle It All
We manage dynamic pricing, 24/7 guest communications, cleaning coordination, maintenance and owner reporting. Our local team monitors performance, handles every guest interaction and keeps your property in top condition between stays. Fully hands-off from day one.
4
You Get Paid
Receive monthly statements covering all earnings and expenses, with payments deposited directly to your account. Track live bookings and blocked dates any time through your owner portal. Full transparency, no surprises.
Ready to earn more from your Queenstown property?
Your listing, handled
From first photo to five-star review, we manage every part of your property’s online presence.
Listing & Pricing
- Professional photography and listing copywriting
- Listings created and optimised across the Element Escapes website, Airbnb, Booking.com and more
- Dynamic pricing updated daily based on demand, events, and competitor rates
- Seasonal rate strategy to maximise occupancy and average nightly rate
Guest Management
- Fast guest responses, 7 days a week
- Pre-arrival communication and check-in coordination
- Review monitoring and professional response to all guest feedback
Performance & Reporting
- Monthly owner statements covering all income, expenses and bookings
- Ongoing listing updates: photos, copy, and amenity details kept current
- Channel parity management to protect your pricing and ranking
Property services
We keep your property protected, maintained and always guest-ready.
- Property secured and checked on each guest departure
- 24/7 availability for in-stay maintenance and emergency response
- Maintenance and repair coordination on your behalf
- We ask for your approval before any work over $500 + GST
- Pre-opening compliance check covering smoke alarms and safety equipment
Available at additional cost: garden maintenance and hot tub servicing.
Guest readiness
Cleaning, linen and restocking after every stay, with a property check after each checkout.
- Contracted local cleaning partners after every stay
- Property check and damage review after every stay
- Full linen management including ordering and returns
- Hotel standard bed linen, bath and hand towels, face cloths and tea towels
- Consumables restocked every stay: toiletries, kitchen basics, tea and coffee
- Property handbook and arrival information provided for every guest
Owner FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Our short-term rental management service suits:
- Holiday homeowners wanting a stress-free rental experience
- Investment property owners who want to maximise Airbnb or short-term rental income in Queenstown
- Owners based elsewhere in New Zealand or overseas who want a local team looking after their home
We manage homes of all sizes, from studios to multi-bedroom houses. No minimum or maximum size required.
Yes! Whether your property is currently managed by another company or you are managing your own listing, Element Escapes can take over.
- A new listing under our profile will be created to ensure your property benefits from professional management, marketing, and guest services
- We handle the transition smoothly, including calendar setup, pricing optimisation, and ensuring no disruption to upcoming bookings
- We can have your new listing live within 24 hours of photography, and we plan the handover with you, including your upcoming bookings where possible
Switching from another manager? Read our guide to changing holiday home managers in Queenstown.
Once we have professional photos and complete a property inspection, your listing can go live within 24 hours, so you can start generating income almost immediately.
We can assist with furniture procurement and styling to suit your property’s size, layout, and design aesthetic. Our team works with a trusted local interior designer to ensure your holiday home is not only functional but also visually appealing for guests. Whether you need help selecting furniture, décor, or layout optimisation, we provide guidance to create a comfortable, guest-ready space that maximises both bookings and positive reviews.
We take care of almost everything, but you’ll need to ensure compliance with local regulations, maintain insurance, and approve any major repairs.
No lock-in. We ask for 3 months to give your listing time to build reviews and ranking, then it’s 30 days’ notice. No exit fees. Clear terms mean homeowners can start earning rental income quickly and confidently.
Our management fee is 20% + GST of accommodation revenue. No setup fee, no monthly management charges, no commission on your own stays, no markup on maintenance and no exit fees. Request a free appraisal and we’ll confirm the details for your property.
Already with another manager? Read our guide to switching from another manager, covering notice periods, what happens to future bookings and how the handover works.
Your property will receive maximum exposure through multiple channels:
- Direct bookings via the Element Escapes website, allowing guests to book easily while avoiding platform fees
- Major booking platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and others
Marketing Details:
- Professional Photography: high-quality images showcase your property in the best light
- Optimised Listings: descriptions, amenities, and titles are carefully written for each platform
- Targeted Marketing: listings are promoted across all platforms to reach the widest audience
- Dynamic Pricing: rates are adjusted based on market demand, seasonality, and local events to maximise occupancy and revenue
Minimum Stay & Seasonal Rules:
- Flexible Stays: set minimum nights per booking depending on season or event demand
- Length of Stay Pricing: we adjust minimum nights by season, so short gaps between bookings can still be booked
We use dynamic pricing to maximise your revenue across seasons, events, and market demand. We set the strategy, but it’s your property and we’re open to input.
Rental income is paid monthly with a detailed owner statement showing all earnings and expenses. Element Escapes also manages payments for repairs and maintenance, giving you full transparency and making it easy to track and organise your property’s finances.
Absolutely! With the Element Escapes Owner Portal, you can easily add your own reservations, block off personal dates, or manage availability at any time. This gives you full control over when your property is available for guests while still benefiting from professional management for the rest of the year. There’s no commission on your own stays.
Our local property managers perform ingoing and outgoing checks on guest arrival and departure to ensure your property stays in top condition. We also have an on-call manager available 24/7 for emergencies. Our team lives locally, is dedicated, and responds promptly to any urgent issues.
If something needs to be repaired at your property, we will contact you directly to discuss the issue. We then arrange for one of our trusted contractors, who understand the short-term rental market, to carry out the repair. For urgent issues, we ensure problems are fixed promptly to keep your property guest-ready and maintain a smooth experience for both owners and guests. Trade work is charged at cost, with no markup or coordination fees, and we ask before any work over $500 + GST.
Yes! We coordinate all cleaning, linen, and restocking, ensuring your property is professionally prepared for every guest. Cleaning is carried out by our contracted cleaning partners, trained to hotel quality standard.
Linen & Towels:
- Bed linen, pillowcases, bath towels, hand towels, face cloths, bath mats, and tea towels
- Coordinated by Element Escapes, including ordering, collection, and replenishment, with our cleaning partners handling on-site changeovers
Consumables:
- Essentials like toiletries, kitchen basics, and guest supplies are restocked as needed
- Keeps your property fully equipped and guest-ready
We use our contracted local cleaning partners for every property, so cleaning standards and guest reviews stay consistent. If you have a cleaner you’d like us to consider, we can look at it case by case. Get in touch and we’ll talk through what works for your property.
We keep homeowners informed with regular updates and detailed statements via email, phone, or WhatsApp:
- Monthly owner statements showing income, expenses, and occupancy
- Direct communication about repairs, maintenance, or guest issues
- Transparency at every step to ensure you are fully informed without extra effort
Owners should have insurance covering short-term rental use and notify their provider if the property will be rented. This ensures your property is protected while hosting guests.
Guest damage is rare but it does happen. We document the property at each turnover, identify any issues promptly, and manage the follow-up.
We offer advice and can connect you with a trusted local company that specialises in navigating the approval process. They have the expertise to guide you through the legal requirements to ensure your property complies with local regulations for short-term rentals.
If you’re looking for professional holiday home management in Queenstown & surrounding areas, Element Escapes is here to take care of everything. Contact us today to list your property and start maximising your rental income!